Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 757,875. PATENTED APR. 19, 1904. G. A. BIDWELL. AGETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION IILBD MAY 13, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-EHEBT 2.

WITNESSES: IN VEN 7'01; Q1 aearye flflz'dmezl m: mums vzrzns co, PHOTQ-LITHO, WASHINGTON, n. c,

PATENTED APR. 19, 1904. G. A. BIDWELL. AGETRYLBNE GAS GENERATOR. APPLICATION FILED MAY 13, 1903. N0 MODEL.

WITNESSES @CM a ATTORNEYS,

UNITE STATES Patented April 19, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,875, dated. April 19, 1904.

' Application filed May 13,1903. Serial No. 156,905. (No model.)

To (tZZ 1072,0771, it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. BIDWELL, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Pittsfield, in the county of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Gas-Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in acetylene-gas generators, an object being to provide a generator of simple construction and having a novel means for automaticallyfeeding the carbid in determined charges or quantities, thus making the generation of gas practically continuous and under even pressure.

Other objects of the invention will appear in the general description.

1 will describe a gas-machine embodying my invention and then point out the novel features in the appended claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 is a sectional elevation on the line :0 w in Fig. 3 of a gas-machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a carbid-feeder employed. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the same, and Fig. 6 shows the machine in elevation and on a reduced scale.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a fixed portion of the gasometer, and 2 the bell movable therein, this bell being guided in its vertical movements by rods 3, passing through the openings in brackets 4: on the bell. Arranged in the lower portion of the gasometer is a stirring device consisting of a grid-like frame 5, mounted on a rock-shaft 6, having bearings in standards 7, attached to a platform 8. One end of this rock-shaft 6 is made angular for engaging in a correspondinglyshaped opening 9 in a short shaft 10, extended outward through a stuffing-box 11 and provided with a handle or lever 12, which is held normally upward by means of aswingingloop 13 on the gasometer portion 1. The opening 9, it will be noted, is open at the top, so that the shaft 6 may be raised out of the same and 14:, communicating with a nipple 15, through which hearings on the shaft 10 pass. This pipe 14 is provided with a valve 16. Extended upward from the platform 8 are posts 17, to the upper ends of which a funnel-shaped carbid-holder 18 is removably attached. This carbid-holder 18 is provided with an inlet or feed opening at the top, which is normally closed and sealed by a cover 19, and the opening in the bottom for the outlet of carbid may be regulated or entirely closed by a valve 20, here shown as conical in shape and attached to a screw-threaded stem 21, engaging in a tapped hole in a bar 22, arranged in the holder.

Surrounding the opening in the top of the bell 2 and extended downward therefrom is a flange 23, which engages on the top of the holder 18, and the opening through the top of the bell is closed by a cover 24:, which is clamped in place by means of a screw 25, passing through a yoke 26, mounted to swing on the top of the bell. The flange 23, it will be understood, engages with the top of the holder 18 only when the bell is in its lowermost position and it is desired to charge the holder with carbid.

The opening in the bottom of the holder 18 communicates with a chute 27, supported by the posts 17, and from this chute 27 a trough 28 extends laterally at a downward incline. The discharge of the carbid from the chute 27 into the trough 28 may be regulated by a gate-valve 29, from which rods 30 extend downward at opposite sides of the trough 28 and connect with the upper end of a bar 31, the lower end of said bar 31 being pivotally connected to the horizontally-disposed member of an angle-lever 32-. This angle-lever 32 is pivotally connected to a bar 33 and its lower bifurcated end engages loosely in an annular channel formed in the head 34 of an adjustingscrew 35. This adjusting-screw engages in a tapped lug 36 and passes to the outer side y of the fixed portion of the gasometer.

out when necessary.

manipulating this screw 35 by a suitable tool the lever 32 will be rocked, and consequently the valve 29 will be moved to regulate or open the passage between the parts 27 and 28. At the discharge end of the trough 28 is a charging or feeding device for the carbid. This feeding device consists of a cylinder 37, having a series of pockets 38, each one being of a size to contain the proper charge of carbid.

I have here shown three pockets '38; but it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to any particular number of pockets.

Extended from one end of the cylinder 37 are pins 39, the pins being located substantially opposite each pocket. The pins are de' signed to be engaged successively by a curved finger 40, mounted to swing on a pendent rod 41, to the lower end of which is attached a float 42. The upper portion of this red 41 passes through a guide 43, secured in the 'holder 18, and the downward movement of the rod may be regulated by passing a pin 44 through any one of a series of holes in the upperend of the rod, the pin of course when the rod is in lowered position engaging with the upper end of the guide 43. Attached to the rod 41 slightly below the pivotal point of the finger 40 is a stop-pin 45, with which the finger is designed to engage during its downward movement to cause a rotary movement of the cylinder 37. On the end of the cylinder 37 opposite that to Which the pins 39 are attached is a lug 46, which is here shown as triangular, the points being designed to engage with a shoulder 47 on an arm 48, pivoted to the trough 28 and having a weight 49 at its free end. This arm by engaging with the lug 46 will prevent the reverse motion of the cylinder 37 when the rod 41 is moved upward.

The portion 1 of the gasometer is provided with an opening 50 at the water-level, and on the outer side of the gasometer is a trough 51 for receiving a possible overflow through the opening 50. A gas-discharge pipe 52 extends upward in the gasometer and terminates at a point above the water-level. At the outer side this gas-pipe 52 is provided with a valved drain 53,through which the sediment may be washed This pipe 52, it is to be understood, carries gas to the several burners. From the pipe 52 a tube 54 leads into a Water-sealed vessel 55, from which a pipe 56 leads to the outer side of a building or other suitable place of discharge, so that should an overpressure of gas occur in the gasometer the gas will pass into the vessel 55, forcing the water away from the mouth of the pipe 56 and permitting the escape of gas. From the tube 54 a pipe 57 extends to a connection with the pipe 56, and this pipe 57 is provided with a valve 58. This valve 58 may be opened to permit of the discharge of gas to the open atmosphere when it is desired to remove the gas from the machine.

In the operation during the generation of gas and when the bell 2 is in an uppermost position the water inv the gasometer acting on the float 42 willl hold the finger 40 above the cylinder 37. As the gasometer lowers owing to the discharge of gas, it will be engaged with the upper end of the rod 41, forcing it downward and causing the finger 40 to engage with one of the pins 39 and causing a rotary movement of the cylinder 37 to discharge a new supply of carbid into the water, when the generation of gas again takes place and the bell rises as will also the rod 41.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. A gas-machine, comprising a gasometer, a carbid-holder arranged therein, a rotary cylinder having pockets for receiving carbid from the holder, a pendent rod having vertical guided movement and actuated by a clownward movement of the gasometer-bell, the

said rod being provided with means for im,

parting rotary motion to said cylinder when the rod is moved downward, and a float on said rod and acted on by the water in the gasometer to move the rod upward when the gasometer rises.

2. In a gas-machine, a gasometer, a carbidholdcr arranged therein, a discharge-chute for the holder, a regulating-valve in the dischargechute, means connected with said valve for regulating the same, the said means extending to the outer side of the gasometer, a rotary cylinder having pockets for receiving carbid from the chute, and means actuated by the gasometer-bell for rotating said cylinder.

3. In a gas-machine, a gasometer, a carbidholder arranged therein, a discharge-chute with which the holder communicates, a valve for controlling the outlet of said chute, a vertically-arranged bar connected with said valve, an angle-lever arranged in the gasometer and having connection at one end with the lower end of said bar, and an adjusting-screw engaging with the lower end of said angle-lever and passing out through the wall of the gasometer.

4. Inagas-machine, a gasometer, a carbidholder arranged therein, a discharge-chute with which the holder communicates, a gatevalve for controlling the outlet of said chute, an angle-lever arranged in the gasometer and having a horizontally-disposed member connected with said valve and a vertical member bifurcated at its lower end, and an adjustingscrew passing through the wall of the gasometer and having a head at its inner end formed with an annular channel engaged by the bifurcated end of the lever.

5. A gas-machine, comprising a gasometer, a conical carbid-holder arranged in the gasometer, a valve for controlling the outlet of said holder, a chute communicating with the holder, a valve for controlling the outlet of said chute, a downwardly and laterally inclined trough leading from the chute, a cylinder mounted to rotate at the end of said trough and having a series of pockets, and means for imparting rotary motion to said cylinder.

6. In a gas-machine, a gasometer, a carbidholder arranged therein, a discharge-chute leading from the holder, a downwardly and laterally inclined trough leading from the chute, a cylinder mounted to rotate at the end of said trough, the said cylinder having a series of pockets, pins extended outward from one end of the cylinder, a pendent rod having vertical guided movement, a float on the lower end of said rod, and a finger pivoted to the rod and adapted for engaging with said pins for imparting rotary motion to the cylinder upon a downward movement of the rod.

7. In agas-machine, a gasometer,a carbidholder arranged therein, a cylinder havinga series of pockets for receiving carbid from the holder, pins extended from one end of said cylinder, a pendent rod, a float on the lower end of said rod, a finger pivoted to the rod for engaging with said pins, and an angular lug at the opposite end of said cylinder, anda weighted lever having a shoulder portion for engaging with said lug.

8. In a gas-machine, a grid-like agitator mounted to rock in the lower portion of the gasometer, the shaft of said agitator having an angular end, a short shaft extended through the wall of the gasometer into the same and having an opening in its inner end to receive said angular end of the agitator-shaft, the opening in the inner end of the short shaft extending through the top of the same to permit of placing the agitator-shaft in the said opening or removing it therefrom, and a lever on the outer end of said short shaft.

9. In a gas-machine, an agitator arranged in the lower portion of the gasometer and comprising a grid-like frame, a horizontally-arranged rock-shaft on which the said frame is mounted and a platform resting on the bottom of the gasometer and provided with standards in which the shaft is journaled, a short shaft extending through the wall of the gasometer, and with which the agitator-shaft is removabl y engaged, and a lever on the outer end of the short shaft.

10. In a gas-machine, a gasometer, a carbidholder arranged therein, a discharge chute with which the holder communicates, a valve for controlling the outlet of said chute, means operated from the outer side of the gasometer for regulating said valve, a rotary cylinder having pockets for receiving carbid from the chute, and means for imparting rotary motion to said cylinder.

11. In a gas-machine, agasometer, a carbidholder arranged therein, a valve for controlling the outlet of the holder, a cylinder having a series of pockets for receiving carbid from the holder, a pendent rod having vertical guided movement, and moved downward by the lowering of the gasometer-bell, the said rod being provided with means for imparting rotary movement to the cylinder upon a downward movement of the rod, means for regulating the downward movement of the rod, and a float on the lower end of the rod and acted on by the water in the gasometer to lift said rod when the gasometer-bell rises.

12. In a gas-machine, a gasometer, a carbidholder arranged therein, a valve for controlling the outlet of said holder, a chute communicating with the holder, a valve for controlling the outlet of said chute, an inclined trough leading from the chute, a cylinder mounted to rotate at the end of the trough and having a series of pockets for receiving ,carbid, a pendent rod adapted to be moved downward by the gasometer-bell, means for imparting rotary motion to the cylinder when the rod is moved downward, a float on the lower end of said rod for moving the rod upward, and means for preventing reverse movement of the cylinder when the rod is moved upward. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE A. BIDIV ELL. Witnesses:

ARTHUR H. WooD, MARY DoLnY. 

